• Says State and National Stakeholders Must Respect Rule of Law

• Safiu Kehinde

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed call by the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, not to hold the state’s local government election as he insisted it will hold as scheduled.

Adeleke, in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, affirmed that the election will hold on Saturday as slated by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).

NPO earlier reported Fagbemi’s call on the governor to shelve the plan of holding the election, stressing that the the tenure of the Council Chairmen and Councillors, reinstated by the Ondo Court of Appeal, will elapse on the October 2025.

Against the Attorney General of the Federation’s call, Adeleke held that Osun voters are prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday as he expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation OSIEC.

Adeleke stated this morning while receiving a delegation of civil society coalition who are in the state to monitor the local government elections.

“I welcome you all to Osun state. Our people are prepared for elections tommorow. They yearn to have their choices as chairmen and councillors.

“OSIEC has also done marvelous preparatory job according to reports at my disposal. Several political parties are participating and I believe there will be a level playing ground for all to test their popularity with the masses”, the Governor told the visiting activists.

The Governor asserted that democracy is governed by rule of law and that nobody can assume the authority of the courts.

“My advice to all parties including local and national stakeholders is to abide by democratic norms. As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illega self- help.

“Election is going to hold and the outcome will be a fast tracked development at the local level. I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is a truly peaceful state”, Adeleke noted.